Paying Karma Love

13 Do not go

Half-run, Audrey enters her office building. He didn't want to be late on Monday morning. Especially today, he had to lead the finance team briefing. Almost overnight, Audrey didn't sleep because she was worried about Sofia's surgery. Audrey prayed many times for her dear friend to make it through the operation safely. By five o'clock in the morning, Audrey's eyes could be closed. Fortunately, he was still able to wake up when his alarm rang at 7am. After the shower, Audrey ordered an ojek online. Although at Rein's house there were two cars and a driver who offered to deliver them, Audrey chose not to use the facility. Until now Audrey felt that only Sofia had the right to stay and enjoy the facilities in the house. He himself was a guest in charge of guarding the house while the owner was absent. Audrey checks her phone before leaving, hoping for a message Rein or Nicko sends about Sofia's surgery. No messages or phone calls came in.

The crowded elevator made Audrey have to wait to get to the third floor. Mr. Rizal, his manager, and the finance staff who had prepared for the briefing, looked in astonishment at Audrey who opened the door of the finance room in a hurry. It is not usual for their disciplined supervisor to arrive late. "Good morning, Mr. Rizal. Good morning everyone. I'm sorry I'm five minutes late" Audrey said with a gasp.

"For Audrey. Please put your bags down first, we just started the briefing this morning. We'll all be waiting for you" Mr. Rizal told Audrey.

"Amorning, Ms. Audrey," said all the staff present.

Audrey led the briefing for about 15 minutes. After the briefing, Audrey dropped down on her chair. He drank a cup of warm tea prepared by the office boy to ward off drowsiness due to lack of sleep overnight. Ineke, Audrey's cashier staff, approached her desk and handed her a stack of invoices along with weekly cash reports.

"Sir, please check first. I have also sent proof of transfer to all our suppliers as Mbak asked last Friday."

"Okay, thanks, Ineke. When I'm done checking I'll call you."

"Hm.mbak Audrey, will we have lunch together? There's something I want to talk to you about" Ineke asked a little nervously.

"By, Ine. Tasya and Susan are coming too?"

"No, we're both."

"Okay, wait for me in the cafeteria."

Ineke nodded and walked towards his desk. Feeling Audrey said Ineke wanted to say something important to her.

The endless work, made Audrey almost forget the lunch hour. Audrey just remembered there was a lunch appointment with Ineke when she checked her phone. Audrey hastily tidied the table and turned off the laptop to meet Ineke.

"Sorry, Ine I'm late. You're hungry for me, aren't you?"

"I've ordered fried rice and iced orange kok Mbak. What do you want to order?"

"I order chicken and hot tea."

While waiting for their order to come, Ineke ventured to say his intention to take Audrey to lunch alone.

"Sir, I'd like to resign from the office."

Audrey was shocked to hear Ineke's statement.

"You want to resign? What's wrong, Ine? You have worked in this office for almost three years. Your salary is pretty good too."

Ineke replied with a blushing face. "There's no problem, ma'am. I am happy to work with Mbak, Mr. Rizal, and others. But I want to get married in two months. My husband would not allow me to work after marriage. He said he didn't want to see me tired. He will work hard to meet all our needs. I was asked to focus on being the wife and mother of our children."

Audrey smiled at Ineke's reply. "So you want to get married? Don't be shy, Ine. I'm glad you're going to marry a man who's responsible and loves you."

"Yes, Ma'am," Ineke replied timidly.

"In that case, I can't block your intention to resign. I wish you all the best for your home later. Hope the preparation goes well. Oh, yes, have you said this to Mr Rizal?"

"Yet mbak, later after the completion of office hours I will face Mr. Rizal. Ma'am, don't forget to come to my reception huh. I will definitely invite Mbak, Mr. Rizal and all his finance friends" Ineke said excitedly.

"Surely Ine," Audrey replied as she nodded. An invitation from Ineke reminds Audrey of her own marriage. Audrey felt guilty for not inviting one of her office colleagues. She was forced to keep her marital status a secret from them. Of course, since her marriage was not a normal marriage it could even be called an embarrassing charade. While Ineke marriage is a marriage that every woman wants as a symbol of unity and a pledge to live quietly between two people who love each other.

The clock is five o'clock in the afternoon. Audrey sees Ineke preparing to enter Mr. Rizal's room to resign. Audrey is still struggling with her laptop and a pile of reports on her desk. Today he will be overtime in the office as usual to get the job done. The sleepiness he felt this morning had disappeared along with his routine.

Why is there no news of Sofia. Is Sofia still unconscious after surgery?

inner Audrey fretting.

A few minutes later, Audrey decides to call the number Rein and Sofia used to call her yesterday. Audrey had not had time to press the call button, suddenly Nicko's number appeared on the screen. Audrey did deliberately keep Nicko's mobile number just in case. Without waiting for long, Audrey immediately accepted the call and hoped to receive some good news from Nicko.

"Hello, Mr. Nicko. How's Sofia doing? Operation Sofia succeeds khan? I was just about to call Sofia's number yesterday to call me."

"Hello, Miss Audrey. Sorry, I just got to tell you. You better not call that number. That number belongs to Mr. Reiner and he won't pick it up."

"Sorry, Mr. Nicko. I knew that I would bother Reiner and Sofia if I called them. But I did not calm down before hearing the news about Sofia's health. Is Sofia still resting post-surgery?"

"Miss Audrey calm yourself down. Miss Sofia's operation has been completed since noon. But alas, Miss Sofia could not hold on..," Nicko said in a trembling voice.

"A..what do you mean? Sofia can't hold?"

"Miss Sofia has left us all. Miss Sofia is gone."

"Ti.no way, Sofia." said Audrey.

Audrey's face turned pale. The phone he was holding almost fell out of his grasp.

Nicko continued saying, "Miss, I know you are very lost. Not only you, but Mr. Reiner was also devastated. I think Miss should let Miss Sofia go. Now Miss Sofia is no longer in pain. Miss Sofia's body is leaving tonight. I hope tomorrow Miss doesn't have to go into the office so that she can follow Miss Sofia's funeral procession until it's over."

"Okay, Mr. Nicko. Thank you for letting me know" replied Audrey weakly.

"See you tomorrow, Miss Audrey."

Audrey put down her phone with a blank look. Suddenly his gaze faded and his head throbbed. Tasya and Susan who were walking to Audrey's desk to say goodbye, immediately ran to catch Audrey's body that almost fell unconscious.

"Mom, sit down first. You are sick, right? It's drinking the water, Ma'am," Tasya said, offering Audrey a glass of water. While Susan was busy looking for wind oil to smear on Audrey's forehead. The rest of the staff came to Audrey to find out the condition of their superiors. Mr. Rizal who saw the crowd, rushed out of his room to find out what happened.

"What's this about? Audrey you sick?" ask Mr. Rizal worriedly.

"I'm fine, sir," said Audrey, who looked pale.

"Sir, tomorrow I'm not going to work. I had to attend my best friend's funeral. My best friend just died this afternoon."

Mr. Rizal looked concerned at the sadness that was emanating on Audrey's face. "Yes, Audrey let me. You can allow two days to rest. I'll handle your work while you're not in. I'm so sorry for your friend."

"Thank you, sir."

Audrey feels lucky to have such an understanding manager as Mr. Rizal.

Sof, why did you break your promise to me? Why do you have to leave so soon to those who love you? If I could, I would ask God to take me away to replace you.

Audrey's feelings raged. He had no idea what to do after Sofia's departure. Now Audrey is just resigned to her own fate and trying to make the departure of her best friend forever.